Interactive input system

Abstract

An interactive input system comprises at least two imaging devices associated with a region of interest. The at least two imaging devices acquire images of the region of interest from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. At least one receiver is operable to receive data output by an active pointer when the pointer is both within and outside the fields of view of the imaging devices. Processor structure processes data acquired by the at least two imaging devices and the at least one receiver to detect the existence of an active pointer and to determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.

1 . An interactive input system comprising: 
 at least two imaging devices associated with a region of interest, said at least two imaging devices acquiring images of said region of interest from different locations and having overlapping fields of view;    at least one receiver operable to receive data output by an active pointer when said pointer is both within and outside the fields of view of said imaging devices; and    processor structure processing data acquired by said at least two imaging devices and said at least one receiver to detect the existence of an active pointer and to determine the location of said pointer within said region of interest.    
   
   
       2 . An interactive input system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two receivers, each receiver being positioned adjacent a different one of said imaging devices.  
   
   
       3 . An interactive input system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a touch surface positioned in said region of interest.  
   
   
       4 . An interactive input system according to  claim 3 , wherein each imaging device is positioned adjacent a different corner of said touch surface.  
   
   
       5 . An interactive input system according to  claim 2  wherein data received by said receivers is synchronized with image data acquired by said imaging devices.  
   
   
       6 . An interactive input system according to  claim 5  wherein data received by each receiver is conveyed to said associated imaging device prior to transmission to said processing structure by said imaging device.  
   
   
       7 . An interactive input system according to  claim 6  wherein said imaging devices transmit data to said processing structure over a wired communications link.  
   
   
       8 . An interactive input system according to  claim 6  wherein said imaging devices transmit data to said processing structure over a wireless communications link.  
   
   
       9 . An interactive input system according to  claim 5  wherein said receivers and imaging devices independently transmit data to said processing structure.  
   
   
       10 . An interactive input system according to  claim 9  wherein said imaging devices and receivers transmit data to said processing structure over a wired communications link.  
   
   
       11 . An interactive input system according to  claim 9  wherein said imaging devices and receivers transmit data to said processing structure over a wireless communications link.  
   
   
       12 . An interactive input system according to  claim 3  further comprising an active pointer, said pointer outputting data in response to a contact with said touch surface.  
   
   
       13 . An interactive input system according to  claim 12  wherein said pointer outputs data in response to a contact with said touch surface made with a threshold force.  
   
   
       14 . An interactive input system according to  claim 13  wherein said pointer includes at least one manually actuable control, said pointer outputting data in response to control actuation.  
   
   
       15 . An interactive input system according to  claim 14  wherein said pointer outputs data in response to control actuation only when a pointer contact condition exists.  
   
   
       16 . An interaction input system according to  claim 3  wherein said pointer illuminates in response to a contact with said touch surface.  
   
   
       17 . An interactive input system according to  claim 16  wherein said pointer illuminates in response to a contact with said touch surface made with a threshold force.  
   
   
       18 . An interactive input system according to  claim 17  wherein said pointer includes at least one manually actuable control, said pointer outputting data in response to control actuation.  
   
   
       19 . An interactive input system according to  claim 18  wherein said pointer outputs data in response to control actuation only when a pointer contact condition exists.  
   
   
       20 . An interactive input system according to  claim 19  wherein said data is used to modulate light output by said pointer.  
   
   
       21 . A camera-based interactive display system comprising: 
 display;    a region of interest in front of said display;    at least two optical recording devices acquiring images of said region of interest from different locations and having overlapping fields of view;    at least one receiver operable to receive data output by an active pointer when said pointer is within and outside the fields of view of said optical recoding devices; and    processing structure receiving and processing data acquired by said at least two optical recording devices and said at least one receiver to detect the existence of a pointer and to determine the location of said pointer within said region interest.    
   
   
       22 . A camera-based interactive display system according to  claim 21  further comprising an active pointer.